NHL cancels more games to viewer, fan consternation

Fans suffering from hockey withdrawal will not be pleased to hear the National Hockey League has wiped its schedule clean through Dec. 14.

Owners and players have failed to agree on terms for a new labor deal. Thus, the 2012- 13 regular-season games through Dec. 14 have been canceled. A total of 423 regular-season games have now been canceled, more than 34 percent of this season.

League owners and the NHL players association have failed to agree to terms on a collective bargaining agreement.

The Jan. 27, 2013 NHL all-star game and festivities was also canceled. That game was to be held in Columbus, Ohio, and be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. The Winter Classic on New Year’s Day between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings will also not be played this year.

NBC Sports Network and NBC were entering into year two of a $2 billion, 10-year agreement with the NHL for U.S. broadcast. Reportedly ,the Peacock Network will still pay the NHL $200 million, and then receive a free season in 2021-22.

In Canada, the CBC has been showing re-runs of classic NHL games on “Hockey Night in Canada.”